Sunscreen and Shifts at the Carsington Phantom Open

Rob Cook during the Carsington Phantom Open © Evan Cairns

On the hottest day of the year so far, ten intrepid Phantom sailors arrived at Carsington Sailing Club in the beautiful countryside of Derbyshire to compete in the 18th July event which formed part of the individual Northern and Midlands traveller circuits.

There was little wind as the temperature built, with most of the competitors taking shelter in the shade waiting for the wind to arrive. The forecast was for the breeze to fill in as the day progressed and so the Race Officer decided to postpone, planning to get three races in the afternoon.

A wise decision with the wind gradually filling in from the north west, albeit in a light and shifty manner.

Matt Velamail during the Carsington Phantom Open - photo © Evan Cairns

The course was set with the intention of three back to back races. Race 1 saw Matt Velamail leading for a substantial part of the race, but with Rob Cook and Charlie Chandler both making a play at the lead with Charlie coming out on top on the final lap closely followed by Matt and Rob loosing out to Jim Hopton who finished in third.

Race 2 was a carbon copy of the first in many ways, the pressure filling in across different areas of the lake and shifty with it. Close racing throughout the fleet with Rob pushing Charlie at the finish line, but just loosing out by a boat length. Again, Jim coming home in another consistent third place.

With the reduced number of races, all three were now to count. The shifts and patchy pressure were making it easy to drop distance and places, it was still all to play for. Race three saw the same group at the first windward this time joined by Mike Webster. The down wind legs were nervy but Charlie had got the bit between his teeth and extending his lead during the race to almost a leg by the finish. Rob and Matt battled it out for second and third, finishing in that order.

It was refreshing to see some new faces at the front of the fleet and also a 'not so new' boat winning the event.

The gauntlet had been thrown the week before... was it to be a Midland or Northern sailor with the bragging rights? In the end it turned out to be Charlie Chandler for the South West!

Charlie Chandler wins the Carsington Phantom Open - photo © Evan Cairns

Thanks were given to Carsington Sailing Club who were very welcoming and of course HD Sails and Ceildeh carbon masts for their kind sponsorship of the Midlands series. Their much sought after t-shirts were awarded to the leaders of the event.

The next Midland Phantom Traveller event is at Draycote Water Sailing Club on the 4th September - save it in your diary!

Overall Results: